The Truth About Nursing

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 7, 2015

Why is money in bold?

I do agree with you. Most people don't understand what nurses go through. And how can they? Even nursing students and those who work alongside nurses can't really understand the stress and the sheer amount of work and responsibility we have on our shoulders...

...which probably explains why nursing, as a profession, has a high turnover rate in the first few years. Back in the day, nursing schools immersed students into the culture of nursing and there were less restrictions and threats of law suits. Students knew what they were getting themselves into.

But with the limitations of today and liability reasons, too many nursing students leave nursing school without knowing fully what all nursing entails.

Too many come in thinking they will make big big bucks and work in the most desired specialties; they are in for a rude awakening. I admit that it was tough to not get to work with the babies as my first gig (and does she know that CNAs are not legally allowed to deliver babies?) and to see just how much the Feds and state took from my gross income. But if one sticks it out and puts in a year of two of good experience, they can and often do get that specialty.

And dead at "hot male nurses." I thought it was doctors these girls were after...

Purple_roses · Jul 7, 2015

I agree with you. I met a guy who is about to enter his first year. He's doing it because you "*only* have to work three twelve hour shifts." He has no idea how long 12 hours can be lol.

LorieStesk · Jul 7, 2015

I honestly don't know what she knows so I told her to make an account on here. Hopefully she does to get some insight.

LorieStesk · Jul 7, 2015

He has no idea how long 12 hours can be lol

Tell me about it! After shadowing a nurse for a few hours I was ready to go home and soak my feet in some hot water. Seriously, I only saw her sit down like once then she was back up on her feet again with me right along with her. She didn't complain not once though which is what I admired about her, and now i'm ready to go back.

NOADLS · Jul 7, 2015

The money is still well worth it. For a two year degree, you have the ability to earn a ridiculous amount of money and even if you don't get what you want right away, you have a versatile degree due to the many opportunities out there.

I've seen a lot of posters on here claiming that the money is not worth it. Well, it is. They just don't want us money hungry people in this profession.

ixchel · Jul 7, 2015

I honestly believe that most people don't know what their getting themselves into when they try to pursue a career in nursing. Like seriously!
Today, I asked my closest friend why she wants to be a nurse (she's pre-nursing with me) and she said, "Because of the money, the hot male nurses, and because I like babies".
Lol, she also wants to get her CNA license next spring because she witnessed the birth of her neice and an actual CNA woman who helped "deliver the baby" told her she could be that in just 3 to 5 weeks. I really just wished that woman would've told her that she'll first probably end up working in a nursing home until then some. So now my friend is saving up to become one.
I'm not going to tell her the truth about nursing though, only because she's a grown woman and is capable of making her own decisions and learning about nursing on her own like I had to.
Although, I am secretly steering her to get her ADN first before she goes in debt trying to get her BSN, blindly.

A pre-nursing student who knows the truth about nursing, doesn't know that a CNA can have a role to assist in a birth, and is actively convincing her closest friend into making a potentially self-sabotaging education/career move..... I have no nice words for this.

LorieStesk · Jul 7, 2015

Lol, I know a CNA can assist in a birth. And I'm not trying to sabotage my friend, I'm actually helping her by not allowing her to take out a high amount of private loans. She doesn't qualify for finacial aid because her mother doesn't have a SSN, and she just decided she wanted to be a nurse two days after her niece's birth when she was looking into becoming a CNA. She didn't even look into what nursing was or what nurses do.

And yeah I do know about nursing, and just because I'm a pre-nursing student doesn't me I'm uneducated about the field I want be in for the better part of my life.

Plus, the money is not worth it in her home state where new grads are started off at $18 an hour. Here in Chicago, most are started of at $27+ an hour.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 7, 2015

OP,

How are you not going to allow a presumably grown woman from taking out loans and doing what she wants to do?

And nor importantly, why do you care? Your post comes off as controlling and a little bit obsessive.

Focus on yourself.

LorieStesk · Jul 7, 2015

I didn't actually think I was making her do anything. I'm not directly telling her to not to become a CNA or get her BSN. Plus, I just want to help her because she's my friend.

Purple_roses · Jul 7, 2015

Plus, the money is not worth it in her home state where new grads are started off at $18 an hour. Here in Chicago, most are started of at $27+ an hour.

Cost of living is different in different areas. Here in Indiana, starting out at $23 an hour is pretty good considering that cost of living is lower. In Chicago, $27 an hour really is not much at all. New grads also have a harder time finding their first job in Chicago.

LorieStesk · Jul 7, 2015

If I offended someone with my earlier or original post that was not my intentions. My main point was that she said her comment as if she was doing it only for the money, and I honestly don't think the pay is worth it for someone who Is only doing it for the money. That's what I meant, and she has a strange phobia of feet, so I don't know how it'll work out for her seeing feet a lot. She's my roommate so I should know.

And that's why "money" is in bold print. Because I do agree the pay is good money if you love what you do.